Hot Topics: Part 3 - 'XCC: Xtreme Character Challenge'

This Sunday, James Ray (visiting speaker) and Simon Lace brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Proverbs chapter 27 verse 17

As iron sharpens iron,
so one person sharpens another.


Prayer and Reflection:

Loving God, help the men of our church to behave in godly ways – not to diminish themselves but to become all that You want them to be as your sons. We pray that EBC would be a safe space for women, that they would be recognised as your precious daughters, and that this would be a place where we can enjoy loving, healthy relationships that are pleasing to You and each other. Watch over and protect us, Father God, and help us all to set good examples to the younger men and women of the church and all who come into our fellowship.

Amen.


Questions to Consider

1. How can men balance godly tenderness with their inner fierceness – are they supposed to be gentle ‘gardeners’ or fierce ‘guardians’… or might there be a place for both?
2. We sometimes hear about ‘toxic masculinity’ – what might this look like? Conversely, in attempting to stand up for women’s rights, sometimes this swings too far into a kind of ‘toxic feminism’. Do you recognize this other extreme – and if so, how might it be characterized?
3. What does being strong look like when things go wrong? How might we best proceed when error, pride, hurt feelings and blame all start butting heads?
4. How should men hold their power well around others – does it mean being more feminine, softer, or just being more sensitive to how they might be perceived by women?
5. What are the ‘rules’ when it comes to giving compliments (men to women and women to men)? When is it nice to receive a compliment and when is it not? What does it depend on and is it always clear to other people?
6. For women… in a group, try coming up with a list of ‘demands’ (OK, let’s say ‘expectations’!) that you wish men would abide by. What was easy and what was tricky about the exercise?
7. What does it mean to take ownership of our activity, nourishment and rest so that we get the balance right in our spiritual, mental, emotional, relational and physical fitness? What example do we want to set to younger people, and our children, in all these areas?
8. What is most important to you and what is the place of sacrifice within that? What does success look like – and what are you going to do about it?
9. Who are the men you admire most and what is it about them that you might want to emulate (or want other men to emulate)?